Performance Exhaust Systems - Exhausting The Subject

When It Comes To Choosing An Aftermarket Exhaust, You Have Options

I'm out for my morning walk when in the distance I hear a faint rumble heading in my direction. It's getting louder as it approaches and changing slightly in pitch and tone. Like a dog hearing the initial pop of the dog food can, my ears perk up and home in on the sound. Without even seeing it, I know exactly what the sound is: that Aston Martin V8 Vantage that's been trolling my neighborhood. Snapping out of my Pavlovian state, I reflect again on how amazing it is that a single sound can invoke such wide array of emotions.

Aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to reduce backpressure and increase exhaust gas flow by increasing pipe diameter while eliminating the restrictive bends and kinks found in the factory system. But in fact they do so much more. When done right, an exhaust system can completely change a vehicle. For example, driving a vehicle with a less-than-stellar exhaust note, or an utter lack of one, is mundane and uneventful, reminding you that the errand that you're on is just that-a monotonous chore. But throw the right exhaust on the vehicle you can completely transform the driving experience into an adventure accompanied by a soundtrack of the sweetest melodies.

MeisterschaftWhen choosing an exhaust system there are many factors to consider: the pipe diameter, material, sound, and weight. Most consumers don't consider weight when making a purchase decision, but they should recognize the performance benefits that can be gained by reducing a vehicle's un-sprung weight. The Meisterschaft E92 M3 100 percent titanium exhaust system is 75 percent lighter than the stock system and has been designed to optimize flow while keeping the perfect tone. $3,998Other Applications: Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche, VW

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BorlaBorla's cat-back exhaust system for the BMW 335i is manufactured using lightweight austenitic stainless steel, offering weight saving of 21 pounds when compared to the stock system. While reduced weight is a plus, it's exhaust flow that is important. This is why Borla incorporated a merge X-pipe and double crossover muffler technology into the system's design. Like all Borla exhaust systems, the 335i cat-back is backed by a million-mile written warranty.
$1,302Other Applications: Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lotus, Mini, Porsche, VW

APRThe most common reason for installing an exhaust system is to add sound to your driving experience. The problem is that sometimes the sounds you get are not what you wanted. To eliminate these unwanted drones, APR designed their 3-inch turboback for the MKV GTI 2.0T system using reflective sound cancellation (RSC) technology. RSC technology incorporated into the muffler assembly bounces the unwanted sound waves into each other causing them to cancel each other out. $1,499Other Applications: Audi, Porsche, VW

Kreis-siegKreis-sieg has developed a truly versatile cat-back exhaust system for the Lamborghini Gallardo that allows the driver to quickly switch between Silent and F1 mode. The F-1 VT system features a pair of vacuum actuated valves that open in F1 mode allowing exhaust to bypass mufflers increasing performance and giving the vehicle a truly unique sound. $8,547Other Applications: Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Porsche

FlashpointFlashpoint designs their exhaust system in the USA and then has them manufactured at an OEM-certified factory to their exact specifications. Every system features fully flanged and gasketed joints for a precise leak free seal and removable and adjustable tips for a precise fit. The Flashpoint system for Audi B6/B7 S4 V8 features 2.25-inch piping, a hand-machined finish, and is available in either a manifold-back or cat-back version. From $949Other Applications: Audi, BMW, MINI, VW

MilltekMilltek Sport stainless steel cat-back exhaust systems are all about versatility-giving consumers a choice of sound levels and tip design. For the Audi S5 Milltek offers resonated and non-resonated forms which offer two different sound levels without affecting performance. The system incorporates H-pipe design which allows excess pressure from one side to bleed over to the other side of the exhaust, thus maximizing flow throughout the entire power band.$1,799Other Applications: Audi, BMW, Mini, Porsche, VW

EisenmannThe Eisenmann rear muffler section's OEM fit and finish looks like something you'd find only in the BMW Performance catalogue. Manufactured in Germany, the system for the BMW E92 M3 features 100 percent 304 stainless steel construction and rear muffler assembly that utilizes two muffler sections joined together by a twin bypass system designed to equalize pressure and optimize flow. $2839Other Applications: Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche, VW

NeuspeedNeuspeed has a long history of designing and producing quality parts with superior fit. So it's no surprise that the Neuspeed downpipe back system for the Audi A3 2.0T Quattro includes all the goodies that an exhaust system should: 70mm aerospace quality T304 stainless steel mandrel bent piping, TIG welds, precise flanges, and a pair of 80mm double-wall straight tips. The system also features low restriction resonators and mufflers to increase exhaust flow while still keeping noise levels within state noise restrictions. $1,000Other applications: Audi, VW

TubiThe proprietary titanium material used to manufacture the Tubi Style exhaust system for the Ferrari 430 Scuderia is the result of a technical partnership between Tubi Style and Ducati Moto GP. The result was a special thin wall matrix that will not wrinkle on the inside of the bend radius like most titanium tubing. This reduced deformation on the bend radius maximizes flow and increases performance. Hand built in Italy, this 100% titanium system weighs in at 12 pounds and is available with optional titanium tips. Contact for pricing.Other Application: Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche

Supersprint
Supersprint has been designing and manufacturing performance exhaust systems for over 50 years. Their system for the Ferrari F430 is perfect example of how far they go when it comes time to develop a replacement exhaust. Development work showed that the motor could benefit from scrapping the entire stock exhaust from the cylinder heads to the tail pipes. The Supersprint system starts with the patented step header design, flowing through a pair of 200 cell cats, and then finishing with a direct-flow resonated tube muffler. $14,880Other Applications: Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Land Rover, Lotus, Mercedes, MINI, Porsche, VW

REMUS
The REMUS exhaust systems are all about versatility and customization, offering various styles and tip configurations for the same vehicle. For the Porsche Cayman S, REMUS offers a race exhaust system that reduces back pressure by 91 percent when compared to the stock system. The system is manufactured using 304 stainless steel inside and out and carries a lifetime unlimited mileage warranty. $1,763Other Applications: Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mercedes, MINI, Smart, Porsche, VW, Volvo

Techtonics
Since 1981 Techtonics Tuning has been designing and manufacturing exhaust systems for Volkswagen and in recent years for Audi. Unlike some manufacturers who discontinue a system when the demand drops, Techtonics continues to offer systems 25+ years after the vehicle went out of production. One of their more recent exhaust system offerings is for the B6 Audi S4 and is composed of T304 stainless steel featuring dual 2.5-inch piping with reverse crossover Techtonics resonators and Borla mufflers. $1,000Other Applications: Audi, VW